Illinois GOP backs off attempt to oust chairman

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2009 file photo, Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady speaks at a news conference in Chicago. The Illinois Republican Party's central committee backed off an attempt to fire Brady on Saturday, March 9, 2013, amid concern that ousting him because of his support for gay marriage could damage GOP efforts to appeal to more moderate voters. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
— AP

FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2009 file photo, Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady speaks at a news conference in Chicago. The Illinois Republican Party's central committee backed off an attempt to fire Brady on Saturday, March 9, 2013, amid concern that ousting him because of his support for gay marriage could damage GOP efforts to appeal to more moderate voters. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
/ AP

State Sen. Jim Oberweis, one of the committeemen leading the effort to remove Brady, said it was "certainly a possibility" that the issue could come up again at the party's meeting in April in Chicago. Oberweis, of Sugar Grove, said members delayed the meeting because they wanted more time and wanted to be sure Brady, who is out of town, could attend.

"Some of the members thought it would be better to take a little more time and make sure Pat could be back," Oberweis said. "... I think we're all interested in figuring out how to help revive the Republican Party in Illinois."

Oberweis said gay marriage isn't the only reason he wants Brady gone; he also blames Brady for the party's poor November election results and for working against some Republicans in primary elections.

"I believe that the Republican Party identity has to be on financial sanity, solving some of our fiscal mess," said Oberweis, a dairy magnate. "This other stuff is a diversion from that."